Intro: Them bones them bones them... dry bones….
-Message this morning is called…Message fromt he Bone-yard
With God’s help this morning I would like to show some places in Scripture where great people of God suffered and the Lord used bones for a
reference we could understand.
Text: Matt. 23:23-28
Intro: Speak about the Pharisees: church attendance, well dresses, appeared to care..
-Yet Jesus said it was all a show.
-They were doing it because they were self-righteous.
-They were “full of dead men’s bones”.
Prov.12: 4 says “ a woman that makes her husband ashamed is as rottenness to his bones”.
Let’s look at some people in the scripture that had a some bone disorders:
1) Start with Jeremiah in (Jeremiah 20:7-9; 11,12,13) Jer. 20:7-9 What was wrong? What would make the Word burn in his bones?
a) No one would listen to what he had to say (Message not heeded)
b) He felt abandoned by God; but (never alone)
c) God wouldn’t leave Him alone (Word works as two edged sword)
d) Jeremiah saw the victory(11-13) (Hope is always there)
The point I am trying to make with Jeremiah is that often times the devil will use discouragement to defeat you. Don’t let him. Remember he that is in you is greater than he that is in the world. *Our job is not to take people to Heaven; only show the way. The Lord will take them to Heaven. Next we’ll look at another great man of God.
2) Look at what David said in Psa.6:2,3
I read one time a phrase John Calvin said many times “Domine usque quo” or “O Lord how long?” IN this first penitential
psalm ( a psalm asking for forgiveness); David is asking God how long is he going to feel this way.
-Why are David’s bones vexed?” For a Completely different reason than Jeremiah.
a) David knew he was a sinner (vs.1):
b) David knew God was displeased
c) David wanted to have fellowship with God
d) David remembered God’s Word (vs.9)
-Last place I want to show where God used bones to reveal His will
3) The valley of Bones in Ezekiel 37:1-5
-Bible says they were very dry.
a) The battle was over: They had done all the fighting they could do. But God is making a point here. They represent a Sinful Israel. Worshipping false Gods. Doing their own thing.
b) The bones were very dry: (vs.3); Means two things: dry a long time; and useless.
c) Here we learn they were going to carry a message beyond the grave (crown of rejoicing)
d) God revived the bones through His Word (vs.7) Ezek. Prophesied
*What an amazing sight seeing all those bones come to life. Yet I don’t hear of heaven rejoicing.
What the Word of God tells me is that when a person gets right with God Heaven rejoices!
Praise the Lord!
Close: Back to our text: Matt. 23-28
Those Pharisees didn’t start out as whited sepulchers. But hear they stand receiving an admonishment from the only person
who could hear their heart and know their motive:
-no longer obedient to Word of God
-didn’t have mercy (compassion)
-faith was shallow*Jesus calls them a blind guide*
***Jesus tells them in verse 26,27 to start house cleaning on the inside:
-Because your bones are as dead men: have no strength.
-Possibly started out as young men with good intentions that kept getting shot down by elder priest. They got discouraged
and stopped trying...Like Jeremiah.
-Then they started doing wrong (oh, just a little sin); but they grew...Like David; they moved away from God.
-Now they are full of dead men’ bones: Alive yet in the valley of dead men’ bones.
Illus: Young an who came to Jesus and wanted to follow Him (Matt. 19:22 “when he heard that he went away
sorrowful”. The man didn’t want to follow God; he wanted to go to Heaven. The only way we can follow God is completely. If
He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at All.
Some men may have let you down; or not listened.
Some in here are standing in a sin of disobedience.
Some are as dry spiritually as Sun.
*But bones are being moved, Spirit is being felt and God is calling: God is Able to help you this morning.
Come alive!!